The 25th of March 2007 marked the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome which established the European Union. The event offered an opportunity to look ahead to the next 50 years and imagine the EU of 2057.
The ’Berlin Declaration’ was adopted on the 25 March 2007. The Declaration reflected upon the main achievements of the EU so far, and reaffirmed its values:
Solidarity: an enlarged and open Europe requires greater cohesion (social and economic cohesion);
Sustainability: the fight against climate change should be a defining mission for Europe’s future;
Accountability: Transparency and access to information should become an obligation for Europe’s institutions;
Security: Europe must ensure the security of its citizens while preserving fundamental freedoms;
Promotion of Europe’s values in the world
The declaration recognises that human rights belong to all men and women. It also states that the EU is facing "major challenges" and highlights the need to "combine economic and social responsibility".
Unfortunately the Declaration does not mention health when stating that "Europe’s wealth lies in the knowledge and ability of it’s people". However, a commitment to combating poverty, hunger and disease is made with regards to Europe’s aims for global development.
Finally, it is made clear that the EU will aim to review the Constitution before the European Parliament elections in 2009.
Responses and reactions to the Berlin Declaration
Social Platform has issued a press release expressing their disappointment at the final text of the Berlin Declaration. According to the Social Platform, the Declaration not only lacks a clear common strategy to tackle the challenges faced by the Union, but fails to spell out a social dimension that would engage European citizens in the future of Europe.
In preparation for the Declaration the European Commission encouraged citizens to express their expectations about the EU in the future.
EPHA’s Statement on the EU’s 50th Anniversary
EPHA issued a statement which calls for health to be a priority within the Berlin Declaration. Read EPHA’s press release for more information.
Other Statements
Several NGOs prepared statements for the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome:
1) The Social Platform open letter to EU political leaders
2) EU Civil Society Contact Group Statement at the Occasion of the EU’s 50th Anniversary: "Give us reasons to celebrate before 2057!"calls for the European Union to take political lead on “major global challenges:
Climate change, energy security and the increased pressure on the environment;
Persistent poverty, inequalities and discrimination within and outside Europe;
Human security as affected in large parts of the world by conflict, human rights abuse and failing rule of law;
Globalization causing interdependence on all major fronts of human endeavour;
Credible leadership to bring about effective democratic global governance.”
Publicising events and activities
The European Commission established a website to provide information about events that took place throughout the EU and a forum for debate about the EU.
NGOs were particularly encouraged to send information about their own activities related to the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome to europamanagement@ec.europa.eu and this was published on the website.
Toolkit
The European Anti Poverty Network released a short toolkit which provided advice on how to get involved in activities surrounding the EU’s 50th anniversary.
